Your Preferred 1911 for ~$1000

Honorable Mention: S&W
I have a 1st gen S&W 1911SC. Love the gun. 100% reliable, very accurate, well made. The finish on the 1st gen leaves a little to be desired, but it doesn't matter. The main reason it is an honorable mention and not on my main list... S&W makes so many other guns that (like many) their 1911s seem like they were just jumping on the 1911 bandwagon when they introduced them (same reason SIG 1911s and the Ruger 1911 aren't on my list either).
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A pity, me thinks. All three of these "outcast" branded pistols belong on the A-list, bandwagon passengers not withstanding.
 
I sort of collect the Colt Series 70 guns and have several of the Gold Cup flavors. I agree as to replacing the collet style bushing.

45%20ACP%20Bushings.png


Currently the older Colt Series 70 guns are running about $1,500 for a nice clean one.

I recently bought a Auto Ordinance Kahr Arms gun and it is the 1911 version, Coming in new at under $900 it's really a nice gun. It was a two gun deal which included a 5 digit serial number Colt made in 1914. Anywaythe Kahr Arms .45 Government is a nice gun in your price range,

I also like the Springfield Armory guns. They seem to be well built.

Ron
 
TunnelRat said:
I had a series 80 Government model that I bought new a few years back. It would eject cases right into your forehead, for multiple shooters. I sold it to a friend and last I knew a gunsmith had fixed it. Recently I went to buy a 1911 and had a choice between a used Colt Competition and a used Wilson Combat CQB. Obviously the Wilson was more money, and frankly I wanted to get the Colt to save money. The Colt was looser in the frame to slide fit than stock service pistols I have.

I think there absolutely are good Colt pistols and I think that to many Colt represents the standard of the 1911. That doesn’t mean all of them are good. The same has been true of just about any brand I’ve owned. The biggest question seems to be who has the best quality control overall and when that fails who has the best customer service.


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The slide to frame fit is an easy fix.
 
Reloadron said:
I sort of collect the Colt Series 70 guns and have several of the Gold Cup flavors. I agree as to replacing the collet style bushing.

45%20ACP%20Bushings.png


Currently the older Colt Series 70 guns are running about $1,500 for a nice clean one.

I recently bought a Auto Ordinance Kahr Arms gun and it is the 1911 version, Coming in new at under $900 it's really a nice gun. It was a two gun deal which included a 5 digit serial number Colt made in 1914. Anywaythe Kahr Arms .45 Government is a nice gun in your price range,

I also like the Springfield Armory guns. They seem to be well built.

Ron
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The old adage comes to mind; you get what you pay for. The better option is to get an oversized collet bushing and machine it down to precisely fit your 1911.
 
Funny! It's like magic, isn't it?

Normally followed by a chorus of my gun is better than your gun, my gun is better than yours my guns is better ...

Every time the subject of a 1911 .45 ACP comes up it becomes the same thing. Keep in mind the thread starter's budget is $1,000 or less. There are plenty of nice 1911 guns above the price point. The question is what is a nice 1911 below the price point?

Ron
 
Reloadron said:
Funny! It's like magic, isn't it?

Normally followed by a chorus of my gun is better than your gun, my gun is better than yours my guns is better ...

Every time the subject of a 1911 .45 ACP comes up it becomes the same thing. Keep in mind the thread starter's budget is $1,000 or less. There are plenty of nice 1911 guns above the price point. The question is what is a nice 1911 below the price point?

Ron
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I already answered the question. I'll repeat my answer for your convenience; the best option is a Colt Government Model. Any other questions? Price?
 
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Thank you and I would have to agree. They will not go wrong with a Colt Government Model.

45%20Colt%20Series%2070%20Guns.png


All series 70 including several Gold Cup versions.

They can likely find a Colt Government Model 1911 under their price point. Once they are in stock again. Then too there is no shortage of those who will disagree with both our opinions. I toss out several choices and let the buyer decide.

Ron
 
TunnelRat said:
Hi all,
Some years back we had a similar such thread. One of the popular recommendations then was the Dan Wesson Heritage, which was about $1200. These days the Heritage in its newest SKU seems to be $1500. I’m not saying it’s not worth that, but that’s far enough away from $1000 that to me it’s out of the running.

I am not sure what’s the recommendation these days. I had a friend ask me and I honestly don’t know. I’ve owned a Colt, Springfield Armory, Smith and Wesson, and then a Wilson Combat. All of them had issues that needed tweaking. Is Colt still the standard with CZ now in charge (I almost think that would be an improvement)?

As a note, I’m talking a standard 5” government model.

Thanks,
-TR


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I own about a dozen 1911s. Many of them are Clark S70s.

Whilst I have not shot the Clarks extensively, my Kimber "Classic Gold Match" in blue is about the most accurate 45 ACP I can remember shooting.

I'm not saying the Kimber is better than the half dozen Clarks I own. I'm saying I've shot the Kimber lots and it is a superbly accurate handgun.

And, I bought a five pack of Rem "1911 Carry" handguns. Four of the five had excellent slide to frame fit. The last felt like a Series 70.

I've only shot two of them, and they do quite well. Not more than a hundert rounds between them.
 
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pcxxxx42 said:
I own about a dozen 1911s. Many of them are Clark S70s.
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Clark? I'm a 1911 guy and I am not familiar with a 1911 maker named Clark. Never saw such a company at the SHOT Show.

If you are referring to Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana, they aren't a manufacturer, they're a custom shop. If you have a "Clark" 1911, it's a pistol made by some manufacturer (likely Colt) and then customized and fine tuned by Clark. It's completely unfair to compare a gun like that against out-of-the-box, factory-made firearms.

I own a few Colts, and have owned others in the past. Springfield Armory sells a decent pistol but I would still choose a Colt over a Springfield at the same price point.
 
I had a second year productin Kimber that someone wanted worse than I did. I regret selling it. Great gun. I have bought two other Kimbers since and have been disappointed both times. I know lots of folks love them but mine were not accurate and the fit and finish was not good. My Ruger and Springfield 1911s performance is much better.
 
I am a big fan of Springfield at that price point. I spend another $30 and get rid of their two piece guide rod.
 
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